SRINAGAR, Aug 7: Seven matches were played Monday in State Cricket Academy T-20 Championship played across various districts of the valley.

In the first quarter final for district Baramulla, Varmul XI beat Old Town Varmul by 16 runs. Batting first, Varmul XI made a competitive 129 for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs. In reply, Old Town Varmul were bowled out for 113.

Arshid Ahmad was the wrecker-n-chief for the winning side taking four wickets for 17 in his four over spell. He was declared man of the match.

Budgam district fixture proved to be a close contest as NCC Narbal best FCC Budgam by one wicket.

Batting first, FCC Budgam were bowled out for 86 and NCC Narbal had to fight hard to reach the target, losing nine wickets in the process. Mohammad Yaqoob of NCC Narbal was declared man of the match for his solid 44.

The semi-final tie between Valley Hunks and SafaPora Blues in Ganderbal district was won by the former by six wickets. Batting first, Safapora Blues could manage a score of only 118 which was chased down by Valley Hunks in 16.4 overs. Sofi Mehraj was handed over man of the match award for his first hatrick of the tourney.

In Srinagar district fixture, Amar Singh defeated ACC by ten runs. Amar Singh Club posted a score of 153 in the alloted 20 overs. Thanks to Sahil's four wicket haul, Amar Singh could restrict ACC to 143 all-out. Sahil was awarded man of the match with BCCI qualified umpire Nisar Ahmad Mir presiding the award ceremony. The rest of the Saturday fixture were in progress when report was being filed.

SRINAGAR, Aug 7: Army today claimed to have foiled a major infiltration attempt by militants to cross over from Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PAK) into the Machhil sector of Kashmir. Five militants were killed.
"A major infiltration bid was foiled in the Machhil sector by alert troops," a defence spokesman said in Srinagar.
He added that five militants were killed in the operation which was going on when reports last came in. "During the search, five weapons were recovered by the army," the